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Canyon de Chelly National Monument: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a National Park System unit in Arizona[5]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee[1].
Entrance fees and passes
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Canyon de Chelly National Monument[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.
When to visit and hours
NPS says the North Rim Drive, the South Rim Drive and 9 overlooks are open daily all year[6]. The Welcome Center opens at 8AM and closes at 5PM each day[6]. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day[6]. In 2025 the busiest month was July with 48,142 recreation visits[2]. The quietest month was May with 9,513[2]. NPS describes spring as cool and windy, with dust storms and canyon flooding possible[7]. Summer is hot and dry, with highs from 85 to 100[7]. Fall is warm and often wet, with lightning and flash floods possible[7]. Winter is cold and breezy, with 1-4 inches of snow expected[7].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 25,442 |
| February | 24,564 |
| March | 19,757 |
| April | 35,633 |
| May | 9,513 |
| June | 32,388 |
| July | 48,142 |
| August | 25,253 |
| September | 30,933 |
| October | 34,117 |
| November | 19,394 |
| December | 35,450 |
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, pets must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times where they are allowed[8]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, though service animals are excepted[8]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so check with the park[8].
Before you go
- NPS lists no entrance fee, but fees and hours can change, so confirm on the official park page before you go[1].
- The Welcome Center keeps regular business hours of 8AM to 5PM[6].
- NPS notes that canyon flooding and flash floods can happen in some seasons[7].
- Bring plenty of water in summer, as NPS advises[7].
- NPS lists guided tours, hiking and scenic driving among the activities here[9].
Questions people ask
- Is there an entrance fee for Canyon de Chelly National Monument?
- NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee[1]. Confirm on the official park page before your trip.
- When is the best time to visit Canyon de Chelly?
- In 2025 the busiest month was July with 48,142 recreation visits and the quietest was May with 9,513[2]. NPS describes summer as hot and dry and winter as cold and breezy[7].
Facts and sources
- NPS lists Canyon de Chelly National Monument as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 184,191, 2022: 354,972, 2023: 333,349, 2024: 387,433, 2025: 340,586. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Monument) in Arizona. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Rim Drives, North and South Rim Overlooks: North Rim Drive, South Rim Drive, 9 overlooks open daily all year round. The Welcome Center is open daily from 8AM to 5PM and closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Welcome Center... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Canyon de Chelly National Monument. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- Activities NPS lists for Canyon de Chelly National Monument: Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Camping, Guided Tours, Hiking, Junior Ranger Program, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store. National Park Service